Mail-bag catcher.



J. BIRNIE, JR. MAIL BAG CATOHER.

APPLIGATION FILED 001,17, 1913.

1, 1 1 3,301 Patented Oct. 13,1914.

2 SHEBTS-SHEET 1.

THE NORRIS PEYERS (20., PHOTO-Linda. WASHINGTON. o C.

"J. BIRNIE, JR.

MAIL BAG UATCHER.

APPLICATION FILED 00117, 1913.

' 1,1 13,301. Patented 0011.13, 1914.

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THE NORRIS PETERS 00.. PHOTU-LITHO), WASHINGTON. u C

JOHN BIB-HIE, JR., 011 BERNIE, MANITOBA, CANADA.

MAIL-BAG GATCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 13, 1914.

Application filed October 17,1913. Serial No. 795,720.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN BIRNIE, Jr, of

the town of Birnie, Province of Manitoba, Canada, have invented certainnew and useful Improi-ementsin Mail-Bag Catchers, of which the followmg1s a speclfication.

My inventlon relates to improvements in inail-bag catchers, and relatesmore particularly to that type of mail-bag catcher designed to becarried by a mail car and the function of which is to remove mail-bagsfrom suitable supports positioned on a station, in such a manner as todeposit these mail-bags within the mail car, and the principal object ofmy invention is to construct a reversible mail-bag catcher which willnormally extend in an angular position through the door way in the sideof a mail car so that the contents of the mail-bags caught thereby willnot be injured.

A. still further object of myinvention is to combine with my mail-bagcatcher, an auxiliary net designed to catch a mail-bag in case mymail-bag catcher should not succeed in throwing the bag into the car.

Further objects of my invention will appear in the followingspecification.

Broadly considered, my invention comprises a member termed the mail-bagcatcher, mounted to he slid in sockets carried by a frame movablymounted within the mail car, and means for supporting said mail-bagcatcher in operative position as hereinafter more particularlyexplained.

Figure 1 1s a view of my mall-bag catcher as it appears from the insideof a mail car,

certain parts being broken away and shown in section to illustratecertain details of construction. This View also shows a mail-bag carriedby a suitable support, in position to be detached from the support bysaid mailbag catcher, and thrown into the mail car.-

bag catcher, showing in side elevation, sup-- porting means thereforwhich are positioned ad acent the vertical wall of the mail car,

portion of which is illustrated in section.

Fig. 4: is a perspective view of the frame supporting the auxiliary net.Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the preferred form of compound socketsused in mounting the mail-bag catcher, and Fig. 6 is a perspective viewof the preferred form of locking means used to hold the mail-bag catcherin operative position.

In the drawings, like characters of reference indicate correspondingparts in each figure.

A is the side wall of the mail car and B the opening or door waytherein. Mounted within the mail car in such a manner as to be readilyswung into position at either side of the door way or opening B, is asuitable frame comprisinga vertical member C with which is integrallyformed an extension D at the upper end thereof, and at the lower endthereof an extension E. These eXtensions are each provided with bentends 65 and 6 respectively which have bearing in the socket members Fand G carried respectively by the wall A and floor H of the mail car.

Movably mounted on the member C are compound sockets I and J composed ofvertical socket members K and horizontal socket members L, which areconnected together. The vertical member C passes through the verticalsocket members K, and

in order to holdthe said socket members in v movement in the horizontalsocket members L of the said compound sockets I and J,

are the horizontal members 0 and P of the mail-bag catcher frame Q.

R is the lowermost horizontal member of the frame Q, and suitablyconnected therewith at each end are vertically disposed end I members Sand T, of the frame Q. The said end members S and T are also secured .attheir upper ends to the horizontal member 0. Because of the constructionalready described, {it will be understood that :the-

frame 0 may be moved longitudinally in the socket members 'L, and thepurpose of this movement will be hereinafter particu larly set forth.

I The function of the frame is to comein contact with a mail-bag 2carried by any suitable arm or support 3 and throw the bag into the mailcar. Now in order to reduce to a minimum the impact againstthemail-bags, the frame Q is provided with any suitable netting. A suitabletype of netting is illustrated in the drawings, and the same composes aplurality of light metallic rods 4-, the ends of which are secured insuitable holes 5 formed in the end members S and T. Of course thenetting will be carried by the frame Q, so that this frame maybe readilymoved through the horizontal socket members L without interference.

In order to prevent the frame Q, from being moved inwardly through thesocket members L when the mail bag is struck, any suitable locking meansmay be provided.

My preferred means comprisesa collar 6 20' movably mounted on=thevertical member C. and carried by this collar is a pierced'lug 7 whichcarries the hook '8. In the-position illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, mymail-bag catcher Q is in position to operate when the train is moving inthe direction indicated by arrow in Fig. 2. Now as the hook 8 is hookedthrough the eye 9 carried by the end member S, when the bag catcherstrikesthe mail-bag 2, it will not-be slid withinthej socket members L.In order to support the collar 6 in place, any suitable means-may beprovided such as collars 10 similar to those, already described forsupporting the compound sockets in place.

In order to brace the frame Q and prevent it "from being moved aroundthe vertical member C on the vertical socket members K,

suitable bracing means must be provided.

My preferred form of bracing meansfor this purpose COIIIPI'ISGS? a rod11, the bent end'12. of'whlch rests lnthesocket member13 car- 'ried bythe j amb of the door or opening B.

The outer end of the rod 11 is provided-with an offset portion 14:,preferably vertically disposed, andthis off-set portion-terminates Thebent end15 is -deina bent end 15. signed to be held in thepierced lug 16carried by'the horizontal member It, and the offset-portion 1% will restagainst the inner side of the-pierced lug16. A-split pin or.

equivalent means 17 is held in-a hole 18 formed near the outer end ofthebent end 15'of the'rodll, toprevent the'said end 15, andconsequentlythe rod 11, frombeing accidentally withdrawn from the lugs16.

The construction just described supports the frame Q on the rod 11.

Sho'uldthe train be traveling in the direction opp'osite'thatillustrated in Fig.2, the mail clerk will unhook'thehook '8 and removethe bent end 12 from i the socket member'1'3, and by pulling on the rod11, the frame Q will be drawn within the car. *The clerk will thenremove the rod 11 from the pierced lug 16 and placeit in'tl'ie'piercedlug 16 carried by the member R. The frame Q, will then be slidlongitudinally through the socket members L and at the sametime thevertical member C and its eX- tensions will be moved into the dottedposition shown in Fig. 2. The clerk will then place the bent end 12 ofthe rod 11 in the socket member 13 when the bag catcher will besupported in the dotted position shown. The hook 8 willthen be hookedinto the eye -9 carried by'thc member T.

In case the bag catcher should fail to throw the mail bag intothe car, Iprefer to provide an auxiliary net. In providing this auxiliary net-19,I utilize the rod 11, and cou'plethereto an extension rod 20, the outerend '21of which is bent and held in a hole formed in the rod 11. 23' isa pin or other device-held in'the bent end-21to keep this en'din-relationship with the rod 11. The "end 24c of the rod 20 is alsobent, and in the positionofthe parts illustrated in Fig. 2, this bentend 24 is mounted in the socket member 13. Should abag drop before it isfully within the car, it will be understood "thatthe net 19 will catchthe same. Not only does the extension rod 20 cooperate with the rod 11informing a frame for the support of'the net 19, but it also performsthe additional'function of a thrust rod to assist the rod 11 and hookS'in bracing or supporting the frame Q. Vithout further "descriptionitwill be understood that to reverse the'position of the frame Q, theextension rod 20 can be readily removed and placed. Both ends of theframe 'Q are identical so that the bag catcher may be readily 1reversed.

The end-members S and T of the frame Q arepreferably curvedasillustrated, so that the lower horizontal member R will project beyondthe other horizontal members to provide the frame Q, with a ledge or lipwhich will facilitate the tossing of the mailbag into the car.

'W'hile I have 'described'what I consider to be the-best embodiment-ofmy invention, l 'de'sire it to be understood'that the principles canbe'embodied in different forms, and I' desire' not to be limited beyondthe requiren'ients of the prior art, and the terms of my claims.

WhatI claim as my invention is:

1. Amail-bag catcher comprising a frame composed'of apair of horizontalmembers,

one positioned above the other, and a pair of substantially verticallydisposed end members connecting said horizontalmembers together;amovable frame comprising avertically "disposed 'member to each end of-which is connected a substantiallyhorizontally disposed member theouter ends of which are adapted to have hinged connection; thesaid-framedesigned to be positioned between said horizontally disposed members ofsaid movable frame and normallyheld at an angular position in respectthereto; means carried by the vertically disposed member of said movableframe in 5 which the horizontal members of said frame have movement sothat the position of said first mentioned frame and said movable framemay be reversed, and means whereby said first mentioned frame is lockedand supported in operative position.

2. A mail-bag catcher comprising a suitable reversible frame designed tobe supported at an angular position; a movable frame designed to bemounted within a mail car adjacent the door in the side thereof; a pairof compound sockets comprising vertical and horizontal socket members,mounted 011 said movable frame through the medium of said verticalsocket members; means for holding said compound sockets fromlongitudinal movement on said movable frame; said first-mentioned,framevbeing mounted to move within said horizontal socket members, andmeans whereby said first-mein tioned frame is locked and supported inoperative position. a

3. A mail-bag catcher comprising a suitable frame designed to besupported at an angular position; a movable frame comprising a verticalmember provided at each end with an extension; means whereby saidextensions are pivoted in a mail car at the door in the side thereof;means carried by said vertical member in which said firstmentioned frameis mounted to have longitudinal movement so that the position of saidfirst-mentioned frame and said movable frame may be reversed; meanscarried by said vertical member and engaging with said first-mentionedframe to lock said firstmentioned frame from longitudinal movement, andmeans for laterally bracing said first-mentioned frame.

4:. A mail-bag catcher comprising a suitable frame designed to besupported at an angular position; a movable frame com prising a verticalmember provided at each end with an extension; means whereby saidextensions are pivoted in a mail car at the -"g ge/$1 5"aide,uma j;neans carried by said vertical member in which-said firstmentioned frameis mounted to have longitudinal movement so that the position of saidfirst-mentioned frame and said movable famc may be reversed; meanscarried by said vertical member and engaging with said first-mentionedframe to lock said firstntioned frame from longitudinal moveit; meansfor laterally bracing said firstioned frame, comprising a rod remov-,onnected with the outer end of said entioned frame and designed to bely supported at: the door jamb of '1 car.

nail-bag catcher comprising a sultable frame designed to be supported atan angular position; a movable frame comprising a vertical memberprovided at each end with ane'xtension; means whereby said extensionsare pivoted in the mail car at the door in the side thereof; meanscarried by said vertlcal member in which said firstmentioned frame ismounted to have longi tudinal movement .so that the position of saidfirst-mentioned frame and said movable frame may be reversed; meanscarried by said vertical member and engaging with said first-mentionedframe to lock said firstmentioned frame from longitudinal movement;means for laterally bracing said firstmentioned frame, comprising a rodremovably connected with the outer end of said first-mentioned frame anddesigned to be removably supported by the door jamb of said mail car; anextension rod pivoted in said first-mentioned rod near the outer endthereof, the inner end of said extension rod designed to be removablysupported at the opposite jamb of said door, and a suitable net strungon said rods.

6. A mail-bag catcher comprising a frame composed of upper and lowerhorizontal members, an intermediate horizontal mem ber, and verticallydisposed end members to which said horizontal members are connected; asuitable netting carried by said frame; a movable supporting member forsaid frame; means wherebv said supporting member is pivotally mounted; apair of compound sockets each comprising vertical and horizontal socketmembers, the said vertical socket members being movably mounted on aidsupporting member; means for retaining said vertical socket members fromlongitudinal movement 011 said supporting member; the said upper andintermediate horizontal members of said frame being mounted in saidhorizontal socket members and having movement therein, and means wherebysaid frame is locked to said supporting member to prevent longitudinalmovement of said frame in its socket members when the frame is supportedin operative position.

7. A mail-bag catcher comprising a frame composed of upper and lowerhorizontal members; an intermediate horizontal member, and verticallydisposed inwardly curved end members to which said horizontal membersare connected, the said lower horizontal member being positioned out ofalinement with said other horizontal members to occupy an inwardposition in respect thereof; a suitable netting carried by said frame; amovable supporting member for said frame; means whereby said supportingmember is pivotally mounted; a pair of compound sockets each comprisingvertical and horizontal socket members, the said vertical socket membersbeing movably mounted 011 said supporting member; means movement of saidframe in its socket mem- 10 for retainlng said vertical socket membersbers when the frame 1s supported 111 operafrom longitudinal movement onsaid suptlve position.

porting member; the said upper and inter In testimony whereof I haveafiixed my mediate horizontal members of saidframe signature.

being mounted in said horizontal socket JOHN BIRNIE, JR. members andhaving movement therein and Vitnesses:

means whereby said frame is locked to said A. E. SERVAUTE,

supporting member to prevent longitudinal G. C. MONTGOMERY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

